Yoga Your Way- Iyengar Style

“Yoga is for everyone. You do not need to be an expert or at the peak of physical fitness to practice…..The strain of modern life can lead to physical pain and illness, as our bodies’ well being is neglected in the race for material success. The stress of modern life can also lead to mental suffering like feelings of inadequacy, isolation, or powerlessness. Yoga helps integrate the mental and the physical place, and if offers a sense of inner and outer balance or alignment. True alignment means that the inner mind reaches every cell and fiber of the body.”….B.K.S. Iyengar

B.K.S. Iyengar

This quote from Yoga Master Teacher B.K.S. Iyengar begins the foreword of ” Yoga, The Path To Holistic Health” – a guide to the practice as he has taught it for over 75 years, carrying on the traditions learned from his teacher Krishnamacharya. Iyengar gave many in the West their first taste of yoga through such publications as “Light on Pranayama”, “Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali”,and, of course “Light on Yoga” (1966) which is sometimes referred to as the “yoga bible”.

Gerry McDonald and Marge McGreevy have been followers of Iyengar’s path for several decades. Together they own a studio in Albany, New York – The Yoga Loft. True to the open-minded nature of most practicing yogins, the studio offers classes in other traditions such as Kripalu, Vinyasa, Yin and Restorative. However, their offering focus on Iyengar with various levels of classes offered to meet and challenge any practitioner’s needs.

They were delighted to share their thoughts on this yoga tradition.

1) How long have you been practicing? Gerry McDonald – 30 years, Marge McGreevy – 20 years. Together as studio owners of the Yoga Loft – 9 years

2) Do you teach this style? How did you go about getting certified?

Marge: To become certified in Iyengar yoga you need to apprentice with a Certified teacher and then complete the 200 hour training. We have studied with many Certified Iyengar teachers over the years, including Patricia Walden, John Schumacher, Judy Brick Freedman, Arun, Kofi Busia, and have completed the 200 hr. training with Eileen Muir of Karuna Yoga in Northampton.

3) What personally drew you to this type of yoga?

Gerry: When I first experienced the Iyengar Style of yoga, it just made sense to my body. I could feel its power and depth and really was attracted to its attention to detail.

Marge: For me, it was similar: my background in body work, specifically shiatsu, resonated with the attention to alignment. I think people can learn so much about their bodies with Iyengar Yoga.

4) As you see it, are there special gifts or benefits to this style?

Marge: In that same vein, one of the special gifts of this style is its adaptability to all bodies and developing an ability to concentrate deeply within.

5) Do you notice this type of yoga attracts a particular type of person ?

Gerry: People who have injuries or who are recovering, or who are even concerned about injury are definitely drawn to Iyengar. It moves slower, but deeply.

(Judi: Just as an aside, a visitor to an Iyengar studio will notice an abundance of “props” – blankets, straps, blocks, sand bags, to be used by students. Props allow beginners, those with limited abilities, tired or ill students to enjoy the benefits of many asanas via fully “supported” methods requiring less muscular effort.)

6) Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you in your practice? Marge: Two quotes we both love from BKS Iyengar:

“Yoga takes a mind that is going in a thousand directions and a body that can barely move, and transforms it into a body that can move in a thousand directions and a mind that can be still.”

“Yogs is the ability to be with what is”

“What is..” at the Yoga Loft includes not only classes, but specialty workshops, and opportunities for experiences in movement and dance. The studio also hosts evenings of Kirtan – a chance to experience the benefits of group chanting.

Thanks to Gerry and Marge for your ongoing contribution to our Yoga community here in the Albany Area. Wishing you continued joy in your work!

P.S. Many of you have watched the TED talks online. Well, TEDxAlbany, a local version of this exciting, wisdom-sharing experience is coming to town. Here’s an e-mail I received from Mike Huber and the Times Union:Thursday, Nov. 4
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Many of you know TED.com as a place to find inspiring talks. It’s a non-profit organization devoted to ‘Ideas Worth Spreading.’
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2 Responses

Is there a style of yoga best suited to older, arthritic folk? Might there not be some helpful regimen to better their health and divert their attention–for, at least, a little while–from hanging around local fast food chains and, of course, constantly watching the weather channel?
Help!–they may be going down for the last time.

Dear Frank – Step away from the Big Mac! More important than the “which” of yoga styles, might be the “how”. Many of the traditions – like Kripalu, and Iyengar, as well as some additional ones yet to be presented in this blog are as perfect for the spry youngster as the creeky oldster. By the way, I’ve had students in my beginner class in their upper 70’s and they did just fine. It’s important too that you work with an instructor who’s certified in his or her style, and who knows how to adapt an asana you might find challenging. Remember, it’s all about what’s right for you. Peace

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